Bandırma, Turkey — A livestock carrier, Spiridon II, has been stranded off the Turkish coast for more than seven weeks, igniting a wave of concern from animal welfare organizations and local authorities. The vessel, carrying 2,901 cattle from Uruguay, has been anchored near Bandırma Port since October 22 after Turkish officials discovered discrepancies in animal identification records. Approximately 500 ear tags did not match official documentation, prompting authorities to deny permission to unload.
Conditions aboard the aging vessel have deteriorated sharply. Reports indicate that at least 48 cattle have died, while surviving animals face severe shortages of feed, water, and bedding. Residents near the port have complained of foul odors and insect infestations, leading officials to relocate the ship to anchorage and order pesticide spraying. Animal welfare groups, including the Animal Welfare Foundation (AWF) and Animals International, have condemned the prolonged delay, warning that every additional day at sea results in further suffering. Veterinarian Dr. Lynn Simpson, a long-time critic of live animal exports, described the situation as “a humanitarian and animal welfare disaster.”
The Spiridon II, built in 1973 and converted into a livestock carrier in 2011, sails under the Togolese flag and is managed from Lebanon. The vessel has a troubled history, including an engine failure in 2022 while transporting thousands of animals off Spain. Activists fear carcasses may have been dumped at sea, though this remains unconfirmed.
This incident has reignited global debate over live animal exports, with campaigners calling for stricter international regulations and even a complete ban on the practice. As negotiations continue, the fate of nearly 3,000 cattle remains uncertain, and pressure mounts on Turkish authorities to resolve the crisis swiftly.
As of November 12, 2025, the cattle aboard the Spiridon II have not been unloaded. The vessel remains anchored off Bandırma, Turkey, 54 days after departing Uruguay, with approximately 2,853 cattle and 20 crew members still on board. Turkish veterinary authorities continue to refuse to allow disembarkation due to a dispute over ear-tag documentation, which revealed about 500 mismatches.
The Maritime-Hub Editorial Team
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